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Every year, we help hundreds of young people (aged 14-25) to complete their Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. As part of their programme, young people will undertake the Expedition section. In teams, they will plan an adventurous journey with a common aim, which will culminate in them doing an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition. Expeditions can take place in a variety of environments and using different modes of travel (e.g. walking, cycling or canoeing). They will complete expedition training and then do both a practice and an assessed expedition.
We have 14 centres under the Youth Commission licence. Our expeditions and practice sessions normally run from March to October, so the main volunteering opportunities are during that time. Expeditions happen several times a year locally and further afield, and this is the ideal role to get involved with the DofE in a flexible way.
Expedition Assessors work with the participants and the Expedition Supervisor to help the team have a successful expedition. They check that the expedition meets the 20 conditions – which are a list of criteria that the expedition needs to meet in order to be considered valid.
Expedition Assessors will work with the team before the expedition, reviewing their expedition plan and completing a pre-expedition check. During expeditions, they meet the team several times en route. They also complete an Assessor’s report, giving their view on the performance of individuals. DofE Expedition Assessors will need to complete a DofE training course.
DofE Supervisors will be trained in navigational skills, campcraft, first aid, route planning. It is not essential but if you already hold a formal qualification in outdoor leadership we would love to hear from you.
This role puts you in a real position to support young people in developing their skills in expedition activities. They are an invaluable part of the quality checking process of the expeditions. If you’re thinking of a career in teaching, youth work or outdoor education, or wish to further your experience as an expedition expert, this role will give you invaluable experience.
Please contact Lara Klein, the DofE Manager, about doing these roles and they will talk you through how to get involved. They will tell you much more about the role and will discuss any support we can give you.
Contact Lara Klein at lara.klein@youthcommission.gg or on 07839 700145
For further information on the DofE visit www.DofE.org
